Incumbents Blanchard, Nowak Running Unopposed in Adams
Richard Blanchard wants to see some of the items raised during his two terms completed.
Blanchard says he's running again because he wants to see through the efforts that began during his two terms.
"There is stuff I would like to see finished," he said. "There are a lot of things we kind of got started that I would like to see into fruition."
Blanchard, who is retired military, currently works security at Williams College.
He was elected in 2013 and has been on the board for a total of six years. During this time, he has acted as chairman.
Blanchard pointed out some of the accomplishments the board has made over his two terms, including selecting new town administrators, police chiefs, and Department of Public Works directors.
"We are on our third town administrator, second police chief, second DPW director and that search will be starting again," he said. "It has been a long six years."
He said the town has made progress on various projects while he was on the board.
"I think we're closer to the [Greylock] Glen not just to my credit but as a board," he said. "It has been an effort of a lot of people for a lot of years ... we are working on the Memorial Building and getting closer."
Blanchard said he brings an independent voice to the board and is not afraid to break away if he does not agree with something.
"I think I just have a different point of view," he said.
Blanchard said he will continue to work hard for Adams.
"I think I have been doing a good job and everything I have done is for Adams and hopefully the people agree," he said.
Joseph Nowak also wants to continue projects and attract more private investment into the community.
"I personally felt that there was a lot of business that was in its beginning or middle stages," he said. "I would like to see some of these things that we are working on come into fruition to better help our community."
Nowak, a co-founder of the Adams Agricultural Fair and retired state Department of Conservation and Recreation employee, said he specifically wanted to see the Greylock Glen project finished, improve the town's housing stock, see the two proposed marijuana operations successfully open in town.
He said in general he wanted to attract more business and private money into the community.
"I think this community needs an influx of private money because if someone comes in with their own money they are going to give it their all," said Nowak, who was elected in 2013 with Blanchard. "They have a lot more to gain and a lot more to lose."
He did add that he thought the town had to be more careful with incoming business. He thought the town was "hijacked" in the past by businesses and organizations that did not keep their promises.
Nowak is a lifelong resident of Adams and takes pride in the fact that he has never missed a selectmen’s meeting since elected. He said he knows his community and listens to all voices.
"As a lifelong resident of Adams, I know the intricacies of this community and I know the people," he said. "I have never been called by anyone in this community without getting back to them and doing the best I can to take care or look into the situation."
Nowak added that he thought his master's degree in land management and environmental knowledge also comes in handy on the select board.
He thinks the current board works well together and that each member has his or her own strengths and projects that they focus on.
Nowak said he will continue to what he thinks is best for the town of Adams.
"People know they can look to me and that I am accessible," he said. "I am someone who says what they believe in regardless of the repercussions...and I will do what I can to better the community that I grew up in and love."
Former Selectman Donald Sommer also returned papers but has since withdrawn from the race.
The election is Monday, May 6, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the town garage.
Tags: election 2019, town elections,
